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Interpretive Summary: Plant bugs represent the largest family of true bugs and include numerous agriculturally important species that may cause enormous economic losses in the United States annually. Other plant bugs are predatory, making them of considerable interest to researchers involved in biological control. This paper provides the first report of an oak-feeding European plant bug newly established in North America. Immatures of the bug are thought to feed on the leaves and developing flowers of oak, whereas adults are known to prey on coexisting arthropods. As with many newly established insects, this oak plant bug has developed large local populations, where it has the potential of becoming a serious nuisance pest. In this paper, photographs and a description of the adult and a review of the host plants and distribution are provided. This research will be of interest to all workers involved in horticulture, invasive species, and biological control of plant pests.

Technical Abstract: The Palearctic plant bug Rhabdomiris striatellus (Fabricius) (Heteroptera: Miridae: Mirinae) is reported for the first time in North America, based on specimens collected on pin oak, Quercus palustris Münchh., and white oak, Q. alba L. (Fagaceae), from Long Island, New York. A diagnosis and photographs of the adult male and female are provided and the seasonal history, host plants, and distribution are reviewed.